Easy DIY Chinese Kites

Chinese kite making is considered an art form in China, and in some Chinese families, kite-making techniques and patterns have been passed down for generations.[1] Chinese kite making involves using bamboo and paper to make kites that can range from the size of a postcard to several feet high.

Look for high quality bamboo. Unlike other kites, Chinese kites are traditionally made from strips of bamboo. You can find bamboo at specialty art supply shops and online. The bamboo is then cut into thin strips with a knife and used as the frame for the kite.

Choose the design for the kite. Chinese kite designs vary from simple fighting kites that are small and quick to the more complex dragon, goldfish, and swallow-shaped kites. You may want to choose a simpler design for your first Chinese kite and then progress to more difficult designs as you become more proficient at shaping.[8]

Framing the Kite and Adding the String

Frame the kite with the bamboo or the wooden dowels. Make a frame with bamboo or wooden dowels to ensure the kite stays airborne once it is in the sky. You will need to cut the bamboo or the dowels so they fit the shape of the kite.

Use twine to finish the frame. Wrap the twine around the tip of one dowel and then run it around the ends of the other dowel so the twine outlines the shape of the kite. Keep the twine taut as you wrap it around the dowels.

Make the kite reel. The kite reel is how you will reel out enough string to help the kite fly. You can use a spool of thread or twine as the kite reel for an easy, quick reel. Other options include using a piece of wood or a piece of heavy cardboard.

Fly the kite in an open outdoor area. Kites fly best outside in an open area like a field. Choose a day with winds that are not too light or too strong, usually between 5 to 25 mph (8 to 40 km/h).